The world's most pressing challenges demand ideas from many perspectives. Designed by our cutting-edge School for Cross-faculty Studies, this MASc explores complex global issues of sustainable development within a community of world-leading, transdisciplinary experts. Combining academic rigour with practical action, you can pursue a choice of thematic pathways to further refine your desired area of expertise, whilst our new part-time option enables you to balance study with work or other disciplines. Analyse the issues surrounding sustainability, as you build the skills and knowledge to develop transformative responses to major global questions.
Important information
We are planning to make some changes to our for 2027 entry. Changes are currently undergoing approval through the University's rigorous academic processes. As any changes are confirmed, they will be included on this webpage. It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer.
Modules
Explore global challenges from multiple perspectives - and develop the skills to become a leader committed to change.
Optional pathways: choose from Nature-Based Responses, Urban Resilience, Corporate Governance and Cultural Action
New part-time mode: balance study with work responsibilities or take optional modules in other departments
Build inter- and transdisciplinary foundations: develop core skills, while tailoring learning to your academic or career aspirations
Note that information found by following the links to the module catalogue is subject to change for future years of study, as we evolve our courses in response to the latest developments in academia and industry.
Other optional modules are available in other departments.
Depending on the optional modules selected, you may be eligible to add one of our thematic routes to your study: Nature-Based Responses, Urban Resilience, Corporate Governance and Cultural Action. There is flexibility in the way the routes are designed to allow you to personalise your study. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Please note, optional modules are subject to availability and offerings may change each year to keep your learning experience current and up-to-date. You will also need to discuss your optional module choices with your personal tutor and receive approval from the Director of Graduate Studies in GSD. Other optional modules may be available across other departments.
Teaching and learning
Be part of a vibrant, diverse academic community at the forefront of global sustainable development.
Systematic analysis: examine complex issues such as sustainability, inequality, development and environmental change through a systematic and interconnected approach
Critical thinking: challenge assumptions, evaluate evidence and develop innovative alternatives to current practices
Collaborative problem-solving: learn to address real-world challenges in a culture of respect, mutual understanding and empathy
Independent study: combine research, reflection and self-managed study
Communication skills: learn to explain complex ideas clearly and engage diverse audiences effectively
Class sizes will vary with around 15-25 students in core modules and fewer in optional core GSD modules. Class sizes for optional modules in GSD will be small, typically with around 10 students. In other departments, optional module class sizes will vary according to the size and nature of their postgraduate programmes.
During Term 1 and 2, your contact hours will vary depending on which options are selected. As a guide, you can expect 2-3 hours of contact time per 15 CAT module. Students will study 60 CATs per term.
The form and number of contact hours on the Capstone modules in Term 3 and the Summer will depend on the capstone project you’re enrolled on. All students will primarily work independently on these projects.
Students on Research Projects can expect individualised support from an academic supervisor within the GSD division. Students on Practice-Based Projects will be supported through workshops and meetings run by a member of staff in GSD.
Students on the Workplace Project will be working full-time with an external organisation, but will be supported through workshops and check-ins with a member of academic staff and/or the Employability and Placements Manager.
The core modules on this course will be assessed in a variety of ways including essays, presentations, and research project plans. The assessments are designed to help you develop the skills for research, analysis, and communicating your work with others. For example, you will have opportunities to write articles and prepare a short documentary communicating scientific research to wider audiences.
All assessments in modules offered by the School for Cross-faculty Studies link to practical applications.
We encourage applications from students with diverse backgrounds, from the sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. We particularly welcome students with experience of, or interest in, interdisciplinary study.
In certain circumstances, we will consider applicants with a lower second-class honours degree, or a normal degree (and their equivalents). This is particularly the case for applicants with relevant professional experience which can be explicitly and directly related to our curriculum.
IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
Please adjust your country as required:
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.
We typically ask for one academic reference for taught courses.
You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.
All applicants need to provide a Statement of Interest. This should be 1-2 pages long in content.
Your statement should include:
Your motivation for applying for this specific degree at Warwick
How your educational background has prepared you for rigorous postgraduate study in this subject area
How obtaining this degree will fit into your future plans
What you hope to get from studying this course and your expectations
You may also wish to include details about your personal/work/voluntary experiences if they relate to the degree programme
Explicit discussion of knowledge, concepts, theories, frameworks, and general literature, with which you are familiar and believe can be applied to the subject area, referenced using appropriate tools of scholarship
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and assessment and some student amenities.
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.
For departmental specific costs, please see the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue, where module-related costs are detailed. Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2026/27 year of study).
Information about module specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:
Core text books
Printer credits
Dissertation binding
Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Dissertations and Assignments are only submitted digitally. However, students may wish to print and bind their dissertation for their own purposes. Students on some courses will have a final poster presentation as part of their project and the printing of posters may be at the students’ expense.
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Join a movement for a more equal, prosperous future.
Why study with us?
Here, you’ll build the critical skills to investigate the complex issues that shape global change - from inequality and the climate crisis, to social justice and sustainable futures.
Based in our School for Cross-Faculty Studies, our innovative approach goes beyond disciplinary boundaries – encouraging you to challenge established inequalities and applying your learning to make a real-world impact.
Across Warwick’s campus, you’ll have access to a wide range of study spaces designed to support independent learning and collaboration. Alongside the Library, you can access our Learning Grids, created to foster creative interdisciplinary thinking. Within the department itself, the GSD common room offers a dedicated space to meet and exchange ideas beyond the classroom.
Careers
Our degrees equip you with the skills and experiences needed to excel in your career. With access to exceptional career services, industry connections, and global opportunities, we’ll inspire and help you to aim high and achieve your goals. Our guidance ensures you graduate as a well-rounded professional ready for lifelong success.
Studying an MASc in Global Sustainable Development will open careers in the public, private and third sectors in a range of areas and functions such as the following*:
Governance – shaping policy and processes at local, national and international level
Research – academic via Master's by Research or PhD research or for an organisation in the public, private or third sector including think-tanks
Teaching at all levels: primary, secondary, Higher Education and tertiary
Project management in any industry – this could be a community or commercial project
Communications and media relations
Consultancy – for example in corporate social responsibility
Advocacy – for example on international relations, humanitarian work for organisations such as the United Nations
Data and intelligence analyst – for example security, geo- political risk
Your career path is unique to you. Our university careers team offer personalised support to help you develop your skills, plan your career path, and get experience at any point during your time at Warwick, and after graduation.
We have a dedicated Employability and Placement Manager in our department who can offer you careers guidance and provide information about suitable capstone workplace project placements. Additionally, they will be able to provide you with ongoing support throughout the placement process, including advice on applications, interviews, as well as links to employers.
While this course does not offer a formal work placement, postgraduate taught students at Warwick can self-source internships and work experience to complete alongside their studies, subject to visa conditions and the 20‑hour weekly limit for full‑time students.
Opportunities can vary in length and location, including in the UK, online and internationally. Postgraduate students find that shorter, remote and/or flexible opportunities work best around their studies, often seeking opportunities over the summer when teaching decreases and the focus moves to final dissertations and projects - although this can vary depending on the nature of the course and personal preference.
Support available:
The Internships, Placements and Work Experience team provide workshops to help you to source and prepare for work opportunities, and organise peer-to-peer support so you can hear about other students’ placement experiences.
The WorkReady Toolkit guides you through the whole process, from sourcing to completing work placements.
Our Work Experience Bursary can help you cover costs if undertaking unpaid work experience.
Part-time work allows you to gain experience and additional financial support, with opportunities advertised on Warwick’s careers portal, myAdvantage and Unitemps.
Warwick students worked 286,295 paid hours via Unitemps in 25/26.
Access short-term international study, work or volunteering abroad experiences, without extending the length of your studies (duration is typically between 3 days and 12 weeks), with opportunity to apply for funding.
Students can apply to TeamWork, a four-week part-time online international experience programme, helping them to gain work experience and improve their employability skills.
Volunteer for projects which support the local community through the award-winning Warwick Volunteers.
Getting involved in societies and sports teams, especially on exec teams.
In 25/26 our jobs portal advertised 1577 12-month placements, work experience opportunities, vacation employment and volunteering from 564 employers.
Whilst there is lots of support available at the University to help, students themselves are responsible for finding and securing a suitable internship or work experience. You will also be responsible for ensuring opportunities meet visa requirements, do not exceed the universities advised 20 hours per week for full-time students and for balancing extra-curricular activity with your studies.
Our Alumni
Hear from our Alumni and discover what you could achieve studying with us. Once you graduate you’ll be joining our community of 310,000 making an impact across the globe.
This is where your journey begins. Our campus is the heart of it all. It’s more than just a campus - it's the places you visit, the people you meet, the fun that you have; the experiences you have here will be transformative.
Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities.
Our campus is where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and cafés, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes’ walk from central campus.
Follow our students around campus on our social channels to see their experiences first-hand.
Teaching facilities
Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs. You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.
Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas
Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces, computers, printing and scanning facilities, multimedia resources and more
Supporting you
Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.
Whether you live on campus or off campus, in private accommodation in the well-serviced local area, you’ll be part of a community to get the most from your experience at Warwick.
Societies and sports play a huge part in community life at Warwick. With over 300 to choose from, getting involved is one of the easiest ways to make friends and share in experiences. Whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.
Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At Warwick, it’s where you discover who you could become.
68th
Warwick is ranked 68th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables
Our alumni community still call Warwick home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.
As Warwick graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.
Applications for courses starting in September and October 2027 are now open.
The on-time deadline for taught postgraduate courses starting in September/October 2027 is 2 August 2027.
We will still accept late applications, however cannot guarantee that the application will be processed in time to complete the admissions process if received in September or there are a number of conditions to meet.
If applying late please include your degree certificates and transcripts, English proficiency evidence (if needed) and ensure referees can submit references promptly to allow time for CAS and visa processing (if applicable).
This information is applicable for 2027 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our web page 'Important information to consider before making an application' in advance of applying to Warwick.
Next steps
Explore your future university further at an upcoming event, online or in-person. Can't join? Receive regular email updates or ask current students and staff questions about life at Warwick.
